Any advice on LONDON?

Applying to College
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<p>Alright, I know several ppl already posted other threads about studying abroad in London, but I just wanted to get some advice for my situation. I'm a civil engineering student entering as a sophmore this year. I REALLY want to study in London very badly sometime during college. However, I'm about to face several obstacles that may prevent me from studying abroad specifically in London. </p>

<p>I haven't done much research in the London study abroad program, but this is what I know so far. I've heard repeatedly from my school that it is quite difficult to study abroad if an engineering student expects to graduate in four years, but some study abroad during the summer. Also, I feel like many engineers who study abroad in the UK go to universities outside of London. Also, my biggest obstacle might be maintaining a 3.0 GPA. I've been working hard, but well I am an engineering student so I hope I can maintain a 3.0 throughout my sophmore year. I heard the average GPA for engineering students at my school is around 2.8. Other things I've heard about London is that it's ridiculously expensive, the weather sucks, the ppl are snoobish, etc. I don't know if this would matter, but I'm Mexican American so I'm not sure if the British would see my in a weird way</p>

<p>I'm completely obsessed with everything about England including the music, literature, films, and tons of other stuff. I've never actually visited London or Europe for that matter so I'm not sure whether I would hate or love London. I'm from San Francisco so I'm used to the cold fog and random weather on a day to day basis. I'm honestly stuck at this point, but I want to talk to my advisor when the school year starts. Any advice for me, I would Highly appreciate it.</p>

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<p>ANYBODY have any advice plz?</p>

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<p>I just haven't replied because the first post is so negative. Why do you want to go somewhere that you are already determined to hate?</p>

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<p>What??? Where did I say that?</p>

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<p>I just returned from visting London, Paris, and Italy and I've got to say that both the Brits and Italians were very friendly. I am also Mexican-American, if thats relevant, and received no weird looks...though I've been told I look Indian. Anyways, I personally adored London; it was very easy to get around in the Metro/Tube and I like rainy and overcast days. If your heart is set on studying in London than I say go for it! It's bound to be an incredible experience...</p>

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<p>I don't know any engineering student that was able to do a study abroad but I'm not sure why unless you have less gen ed classes then most students. I know that my son isn't allowed to take more then three classes at his college in England (he's an English major, doing a study abroad this fall) but he'll be able to make up an extra class or two at his US college.</p>

<p>If you can't do a study abroad you might think of taking a month off after you graduate, and before you start work, to live there.</p>

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<p>To add to kathiep's post, I do know one 4-year engineering student who studied abroad, but he planned for it, and that was the key. Ditto with the pre-med students I knew who went abroad (one even for a full year, and with a humanities major on top of pre-med coursework).</p>

<p>When you get to school this year, go in to the study abroad office ASAP and talk to them. They should be able to help you figure out whether or not you're on track, what you'll need to do in the meantime, whether they support a London program that will fit your needs, etc. They may also have info on summer programs, though at my school, these were treated very differently. We can't answer these questions, and they're the important ones.</p>

<p>Best of luck. And I love London (it's also worth noting that while it is incredibly expensive, I think you actually feel the impact much less as a temporary resident/student than as a tourist, so take complaints seriously, but with some salt) ;)</p>

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<p>I think that's really cool that you want to study abroad in England. It's a really great country, Europe is a great continent, and if you go over with an open mind (as I'm sure you will) and are prepared to be VERY surprised, you'll have a really great life changing experience. </p>

<p>I lived in England (near Salisbury, a medium town near Stonehenge on the Wiltshire plains. It has an absolutely beautiful cathedral, definitely visit it!) for two years, and visited London alot. </p>

<p>Okay, let's start by breaking up some stereotyes that many Americans hold. They're not all snobs; they're like us, some people are stuck up jerks who think they rule the world becuase they have money, but most are just normal people, getting by like we all do. They may not be as open as americans on the whole, but they will be towards you because of your american nationality. While it's true that many Britons have negative or mixed feelings about americans, they don't let that get in the way when jugding someone. They'll value you for who you are over what you are. Just be nice and you'll get along fine on the whole. I think you'll find they're actually quite intrested in America, especially someone Mexican-American from San Fransisco! America fascinates Europeans in much the same way that (some) Americans are fascinated by Europe. They think we're all cowboys, we think they're all Lords and Ladies ; )</p>

<p>London fog has assumed a somewhat romantic, mythical status as this permanent gray veil that trenchcoat wearing detectives pace through while smoking a pipe as the street urchins call him "Gov'ner". It gets foggy sometimes. And it rains, especially in winter. But it gets sunny and beautiful in summer, and NO ONE ever calls anyone "Gov'ner". They very much live in the 21st century, not the 19th.</p>

<p>The exchange rate is somewhat of a hamper, but if you don't plan on buying anything huge, like a house or any furniture, you should be fine, it'll just be a little more pricey. Gas is ridicoulous, but then, you'll have an Oyster card and will take the Tube everywhere, right? :)</p>

<p>My advice is to absolutely go for it. You sound ambitious, in a good way, and you will learn truckloads just by living there and from observing all the differences in culture, language, and life they have from us. The history is amazing, you cannot walk five feet without running into something historical thats older than the United States itself, especially in London.</p>

<p>On a final note, I also love San Fransisco. Half my family is from around Piedmont, and some of my best memories are fisherman's wharf, chinatown hot and sour soup, and the bay bridge :) So I'm jealous!</p>

<p>Best Luck!</p>